Container

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container ( 1 ) for containing foodstuff (F), which container comprises: a bottom ( 2 ); a peripheral wall ( 3 ) integral with the bottom ( 2 ) and extending upwardly from the bottom ( 2 ) and defining a mouth opening; a closing foil ( 5 ) arranged onto the mouth opening; at least one support element ( 4 ) arranged on the bottom ( 2 ) at a position corresponding to the edge ( 7 ) of the mouth opening, such that in a stacked position of at least two identical containers, the support element ( 4 ) of the first container rests on the edge ( 7 ) of the mouth opening of the second container. Furthermore the invention relates to a stack of containers, comprising at least a first and a second container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first container is stacked on top of the second container, and wherein the support element ( 4 ) of the first container rests on the edge ( 7 ) of the mouth opening of the second container.

The invention relates to a container for containing foodstuff, whichcontainer comprises:

a bottom;

a peripheral wall integral with the bottom and extending upwardly fromthe bottom and defining a mouth opening;

a closing foil arranged onto the mouth opening.

Such a container is known from for example EP-A-1 304 028. Such acontainer is used as an instant feeding trough for animals. Thecontainer is filled with the food and covered by the closing foil. Foruse the cover foil is removed from the container and the container isplaced on the ground, such that the animal can directly eat from thecontainer.

A container according to the preamble has the disadvantage that whenstacking such containers, the bottom of the container rests on theclosing foil of the container below. This enlarges the risk for damageof the closing foil during transport of the containers in a stackedposition. Also due to the flexibility of the closing foil the stabilityof a stack of containers is low.

Another disadvantage of such a container is that moisture can be trappedbetween two stacked containers. Generally such containers are sterilizedafter they have been filled with the foodstuff and closed with the foil.As they leave the sterilization device, the containers are stacked.Condensate can be trapped between the bottom of the upper container andthe closing foil of the lower container. This trapped condensate canresult in an adverse effect on the container.

Yet another disadvantage is that heat from the sterilization process istrapped between two containers, which slows down the cooling process,deteriorating the food inside the containers.

It is an object of the invention to resolve at least some of theabove-mentioned disadvantages.

This object is achieved by a container according to the invention, whichis characterized by at least one support element arranged on the bottomat a position corresponding to the edge of the mouth opening, such thatin a stacked position of at least two identical containers, the supportelement of the first container rests on the edge of the mouth opening ofthe second container.

As the support element is arranged at a position corresponding to theedge of the mouth opening, the support element will relieve the closingfoil in stacked position. As the support element rests on the edge ofthe mouth opening of the container below a more stable stacking isachieved.

In a preferred embodiment the support element comprises a bulge in thebottom. This bulge strengthens the bottom and enables one to use athinner material for the container, in particular for the bottom. Itfurthermore enables an easy manufacture of such containers by forexample deep drawing of a metal plate.

In another preferred embodiment of a container according to theinvention, a ring is arranged on the mouth opening wherein the closingfoil is arranged on the ring and in a stacked position of two identicalcontainers, the support element of the first container rests on the ringof the second container.

This ring facilitates the arranging of the cover foil and also providesa support surface on which the support element of a container stacked ontop can rest.

In yet another embodiment of the container according to the inventionthe support element protrudes out of the bottom plane. When such acontainer is stacked on top of another container a space is availablebetween the bottom of the container and the cover foil of the containerbelow.

Preferably the container comprises at least three support elementsevenly distributed over the bottom. When those three support elementsprotrude out of the bottom plane, small access openings are created tothe space between two stacked containers, such that moisture between thetwo containers can evaporate. Also the containers are cooled downquicker as cooling air can circulate fully around the container and notjust along the peripheral wall.

The at least three support elements furthermore provide stability when aseparate container is placed on a support surface.

The number of support elements can of course be any desired number andcan be positioned, within the scope of the invention, in any desiredpattern or randomly.

An alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention,the support element comprises a protruding rim. Such a protruding rim,which can be considered as an infinite number of circularly arrangedsupport elements, is easy in manufacturing and provides a cost effectiveembodiment.

Yet in another embodiment of the container according to the invention,the support element is arranged inside the produced part of theperipheral wall. When two such containers are stacked on top of eachother, the support element will fall inside the peripheral wall and reston the edge of the mouth opening. As the support element falls withinthe peripheral wall, this peripheral wall will prevent that a containercan slide off the container below.

The invention further relates to a stack of containers, comprising atleast a first and a second container according to the invention, whereinthe first container is stacked on top of the second container, andwherein the support element of the first container rests on the edge ofthe mouth opening of the second container.

These and other features of the invention will be elucidated inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a bottom perspective view of a first embodiment of acontainer according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows a stack of containers according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a stack of containers accordingto a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a stack of containers accordingto a third embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the container 1 according to theinvention. This container 1 has a bottom 2 and a peripheral wall 3extending from the bottom 2. In the bottom 2, three bulges 4 areprovided, which function as support elements. A number of flutes 17 isarranged between the bulges 4. These flutes 17 provide additionalstrength to the bottom 2 of the container 1. The flutes 17 may also behelpful with regard to moisture removal and heat transfer.

In FIG. 2 a cross-sectional view of the container 1 is shown. Theperipheral wall 3 defines a mouth opening, which is closed by a closingfoil 5. Foodstuff F is contained in the container 1. The cover foil 5 isprovided with a lip 6, which facilitates tearing off the cover foil 5.

In FIG. 3 a stack of containers 1 is shown. The support elements 4 ofeach container rests on the edge 7 of the mouth opening of the container1 below. In this way the weight of the containers is transferred throughthe peripheral wall 3 of each container 1 and the cover foils 5 of eachcontainer 1 are relieved of any substantial load.

As the support elements 4 protrude out of the bottom plane a freecirculation of air is possible between the outside of containers 1 andthe space 8 between the bottom 2 and the cover foil 5 of adjacentcontainers.

FIG. 4 shows a stack of containers 10 according to a second embodimentof the invention. Each container 10 comprises a bottom 11 and anupwardly extending peripheral wall 12. On top of the peripheral wall 12a ring 13 is connected to the peripheral wall 12 through a double seam14. The ring 13 defines a mouth opening which is closed off by a coverfoil 15.

The bottom 11 is again provided with three bulges 16. These bulges 16are arranged inside the produced part of the peripheral wall, which isshown by a dashed line. As a result, the bulges or support elements 16rest in a stack position of a number of containers 10 on the ring 13 ofthe container below. Again the load of the containers is transferredthrough the ring 13 and the peripheral wall 12 to the next containerbelow. This results in the relieve of the cover foil 15.

The bulges or support elements 4, 16 can also be used to orientate thecontainer for printing on the peripheral wall 3 and arranging the coverfoil to the edge of the mouth opening.

In FIG. 5 a third embodiment of a container 20 according to theinvention is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2. The same features have therefore the samereference signs.

The container 20 is distinguished from the container 1 by the supportelement 21, which protrudes out of the bottom 2 and also out of the wall3. In this way the support elements 21 rest on the edge 7 of the mouthopening.

1. Container for containing foodstuff, which container comprises: a bottom; a peripheral wall integral with the bottom and extending upwardly from the bottom and defining a mouth opening; a closing foil arranged onto the mouth opening, characterized by at least one support element arranged on the bottom at a position corresponding to the edge of the mouth opening, such that in a stacked position of at least two identical containers, the support element of the first container rests on the edge of the mouth opening of the second container.
 2. Container according to claim 1, wherein the support element comprises a bulge in the bottom.
 3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a ring is arranged on the mouth opening, wherein the closing foil is arranged on the ring and in a stacked position of two identical containers, the support element of the first container rests on the ring of the second container.
 4. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support element protrudes out of the bottom plane.
 5. Container according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least three support elements evenly distributed over the bottom.
 6. Container according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the support element comprises a protruding rim.
 7. Container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support element is arranged inside the produced part of the peripheral wall.
 8. Stack of containers, comprising at least a first and a second container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first container is stacked on top of the second container, and wherein the support element of the first container rests on the edge of the mouth opening of the second container. 